A traveler’s guide to Sri Lanka: how to get around the city
As travelers travel the world with nothing more than their own company, the world is becoming a safe haven for those who want to explore the world on their own. Sri Lanka is also one of the much safer countries and offers several places to discover. The country is predominantly a Buddhist country and can also remind you of places in its neighboring country India.
As the country boasts of an ancient civilization and heritage, it has its own culture that requires you to dress conservatively and appropriately. The locals are friendly, respectful and helpful, and will be happy to suggest good hotels to stay in and restaurants for delicious food.
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
With dilapidated temples, ruins and holy Buddhist sites, Sri Lanka is also the best place in the world to eat coconut pancakes and banana fritters drenched in a generous amount of honey at a roadside food stall. A permanent testament to ancient civilizations, this is the land where the Sinhalese dynasties set foot along with their first capitals.
A home to amazingly built temples, Sri Lanka is a country that supports massive artistic and architectural endeavors.
A country with 3,000 years of history and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites was formerly known as Ceylon. Despite the political turmoil and reported civil wars, it is a land that dazzles and never seduces you. Sigiriya, Kandy, Yapahuwa, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Buduruwagala and Anuradhapura are the oldest cities in the country.
PLACES TO VISIT
Not only the temples, but the country also has many beaches and waterfalls that attract the globetrotter. Negombo Beach is located in the north of Colombo, also known as the commercial city of Sri Lanka. Its earlier successors, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British, have left a legacy, such as several notable colonial architectures and a Dutch canal, making Negombo an interesting site full of various activities.
Take a day off for Sigiriya, near Dambulla, also known as Lion’s Rock. The rock fort is situated in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. Climb the iconic stairs that have withstood harsh weather conditions but still stand proudly. Glide past the massive wasp nests to reach the top of the oldest surviving site built in the 5th century. Wander through a mythical world of legendary tales as you ascend to the top of the citadel.
Your expedition to explore the country will be incomplete without visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Located amidst the serene oasis of tea plantations, its impeccable architecture is reflected in the lake. The temple is sacred to the locals as it has a tooth which is enshrined in a helmet belonging to Lord Buddha. Locals and tourists come together at night to offer prayers and eat. There are other important temples that are a must for every tourist. Gangaramaya Temple, Vajiramaya Temple, Raja Maha Vihara Temple, Isipathanaramaya Temple, Koneswaram Temple, Kandaswamy Temple and Murugan Temple to name a few.
POPULAR BEACHES TO VISIT
Sri Lanka is nothing short of a natural beauty. Those who want to spend the day at the beach or want to enjoy various sports activities, there are many beaches in the country that you can visit. Unawatuna, which is one of the best beaches in the country, is famous for its calm and blue waters. You might also see a whale shark if the day is your lucky day.
Head to Bentota, if you are looking for a complete beach vacation! The beach has several good resorts that specialize in authentic Ayurveda medicine and spa centers. Perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and want to feel rejuvenated, the beach is an ideal getaway.
Mirissa attracts people from all over the world. Famous for its views of aquatic fauna in their natural habitat, it is ideal for both ecological purposes and holidays. If you want to watch dolphins and whales, visit the place in December. There are many centers that also offer various Ayurveda therapies. For staying at luxury resorts, Dickwella is the beach to go. This is one of the best secluded beaches in Sri Lanka that offers serendipity.
MARVEL AT THE WILD ELEPHANTS IN THE NATIONAL PARK
The country has several National Parks that are home to various species. Depending on the city and the place where you stay, you can visit these national parks to enjoy the natural habitat of animals in the wild. Yala National Park has about 40 reptiles and animals and more than 200 species of birds. Birdwatchers can go to Bundala National Park or join the tourist crowds at Uda Walawe National Park, while Sinharaja Forest Reserve is home to some of the rare bird species.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY
One week is enough if your purpose of visiting the country is a beach holiday combining it with Kandy. For a couple of weeks itinerary where you want to explore the top attractions and UNESCO sites, spend 3 nights in Galle, 2 in Rekawa, 3 in Tissa, 3 in Kandy and then 3 in Bentota.
HOW TO GET A VISA
Like any other country, Sri Lanka also requires its visitors to carry a valid visa permit. Although the process is not that complicated for this country, you can simply fill in an online Sri Lanka ETA application form with personal details. After the verification process, you can simply receive Sri Lanka ETA online via your email. A tourist visa allows double entry and is valid for 30 days.
FROM THE AIRPORT
You can pre-book a taxi from the airport, which is a very simple, easy, reliable and safe service for all tourists, especially women travelers. Or you can take a bus that goes to Colombo city center which costs around 150 LKR and allows 2 pieces of luggage. For any other place, take a taxi. A taxi to Negombo beach will take 30 minutes and cost around LKR 862. For Bentota, Galle or Kandy the fare is around 4500 LKR.